The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in coordination with key government agencies and transport groups, conducted a data cleansing activity to streamline the list of public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers eligible for cash assistance.
In a statement, the agency said the effort aims to address gaps in ongoing payouts, noting that some drivers have yet to receive assistance despite continued distribution.
The activity was led by DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian and carried out with representatives from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), transport network companies, and private delivery service groups.
“The data cleansing session is part of our efforts to ensure that all qualified beneficiaries are reached as quickly as possible,” the DSWD said, citing the directive of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to expedite aid delivery.
During the session, agencies reviewed and matched records to produce a verified database of PUV drivers. The process aims to correct inaccuracies, remove duplicate entries, and improve the efficiency of cash assistance distribution, particularly amid the ongoing energy emergency.
Among those present were DSWD Undersecretary for Policy and Planning Group Adonis Sulit, Assistant Secretary for Information and Communications Technology and Chief Information Officer Johannes Paulus Acuña, Crisis Intervention Program Director Edwin Morata, DICT Supervising Director for Postal Regulation Division Atty. Carlo Murcia, and LTFRB Officer-in-Charge for Legal Division Atty. Paul Vincent Austria.
The DSWD said the updated database will help ensure that assistance reaches eligible drivers affected by rising fuel costs.